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Members of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) at its quarterly meeting today (December 17) were pleased to note that there was a decrease in the total number of reported drug abusers and young drug abusers under 21 in the first three quarters of 2010 compared to the same period last year.
At the meeting today, members reviewed the drug situation in the first three quarters of 2010. The total number of reported drug abusers dropped by 13.1% (from 11,771 to 10,229), and the number of reported young drug abusers under 21 decreased by 20.6% (from 2,849 to 2,261) when compared to the same period last year. There was also a 19.8% drop in the number of newly reported drug abusers (from 3,521 to 2,824).
The ACAN Chairman, Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei, said, "We are pleased to see a continuous drop in the total number of reported drug abusers, which shows a sign of easing in the local drug abuse situation. I believe this is a result of the escalated multi-pronged anti-drug measures taken by the Government, with the support and co-operation of different sectors of the community."
The Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, said the Government would continue to mobilise different sectors of the community to fight against youth drug abuse.
She said, "Although the drug situation is improving, we will not slacken our anti-drug efforts. The fight against drug abuse is a protracted war. The Government will continue its anti-drug initiatives along the five-pronged strategy, namely, preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, legislation and law enforcement, external co-operation and research."
Members also reviewed other drug-related figures.
The total number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (6,003) was higher than the number of abusers taking narcotics analgesics (5,290) in the first three quarters of 2010.
Heroin remained the most popular drug among drug abusers, albeit the total number of reported heroin abusers was 11.7% lower (from 5,981 to 5,279) than that of the same period of 2009.
Among the psychotropic substances abused, ketamine remained the most common. The number of reported ketamine abusers was 16.5% lower (from 4,313 to 3,600) compared to the same period last year. Among these abusers, 50.1% were aged under 21.
The number of reported abusers of cocaine and ice rose, increasing by 46.1% and 13.9% respectively.
There was a decline in the number of reported abusers of other types of psychotropic substance: ecstasy (53.3% lower), cough medicine (24.4% lower), cannabis (20.1% lower), triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (13.9% lower) and nimetazepam (9.4%).
At the meeting members also endorsed a tiered, multi-modality framework which sets out the treatment and rehabilitation services available to drug abusers in Hong Kong in a more structured manner. The first edition of the framework has been released as a reference for the service sectors, the service users and the public. Details of the framework are uploaded to Narcotics Division's website (www.nd.gov.hk/pdf/tiered_eng.pdf).
With Christmas and New Year around the corner, the Government is stepping up its anti-drug publicity efforts. The Under Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, was joined by the ACAN Chairman, Professor Shek, and other members today in distributing anti-drug leaflets to cross-boundary passengers at Lo Wu Boundary Control Point.
Mr Lai appealed to the public to remain vigilant and stay away from drugs during the festive season. He particularly reminded youngsters to stand firm and resist the temptation of drugs.
He said, "Abusing, possessing or trafficking drugs will all cause serious consequences. Don't be tempted to try drugs. Those who offer you drugs are not your real friends. We must stand firm and knock drugs out."
Mr Lai said that besides the anti-drug leaflet-distributing event today, the Narcotics Division and different organisations would organise various anti-drug publicity activities in the coming weeks. These will include the distribution of anti-drug leaflets at karaokes and an anti-drug soccer competition. Law enforcement agencies will also step up operations to combat drug-related crimes.
Mr Lai reiterated, "The Government adopts a zero tolerance policy towards drugs. Law enforcement agencies will intensify their efforts to combat drug trafficking and abusing activities during the holidays, including strengthening the patrol of targeted drug abuse black spots and adopting various measures at land boundary control points to curb cross-boundary drug abuse."
Also participating at the leaflet-distributing event at Lo Wu today were the Border District Deputy Commander of the Police, Mr Chiu Ming-wah; officers from Customs and Excise Department and Immigration Department; Chairman of the Yuen Long District Fight Crime Committee and its members; members of the North District Fight Crime Committee; members of Tin Shui Wai District and North District Youth Outreaching Social Work Team of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong; and the Sunshine TEEN Angels.
Ends/Friday, December 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:40
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